Signing Games

Games for learning sign language

Everyone is in a circle, one person starts by pretneding they have a piece of clay. They then mold it into any tanjable object, using as much description and detail as possiable. They can also show what it is used for by pantomiming. When every one understands the object being described, the describer passes the imaginary clay in the form of the described object to anyone they choose. (ex. a hat would go on someones head, rollar sakte pushed across the floor). The next person then makes another object with the imaginary clay. Keep going until every one in the circle has had a turn. You might want to make a list of things to describe at the beginning, and have the kids draw them out of a bag, so the game can get going quickly. You could add by showing the kids the sign for each object after they understand it being described."
—MEGREG
"I teach ASL to my k class and I am hearing. We learn foods, colors, numbers 1-100+, animals, etc. Then, we make silly phrases/sentences and have each set of partners practice receptive skills. As time progresses and ASL skills increase with everyday usage in directions and conversations, we often divide in teams A and B. The ground rules are always the same! Ground rules are always reviewed and understood by everyone and NEVER CHANGED ONCE THE GAME BEGINS!!!!!Ground rules are: 1) if another K gives the answer to a fellow team-mate, then the point goes to the other team. 2) if the team mate does not know the answer, it is the opposite team's chance to answer the question. 3)if writing the answer is involved, if the written letter/number is backwards/mirror-imaged, the try goes to the other team. Using these ground rules, then I can "flip a coin" or let one from each team pick a letter/number closest to one that I have to see which team goes first. Things get pretty intense when phrases/short sentences (silly or normal) are used for interpretations for points. Keep the games short, consise, and varied with vocabulary. This keeps attention spans focused on vocabulary reviews. Sometimes, I will have the Ks get a piece of blank paper, then I will sign a picture that I want them to draw, ie: 1 blue house, 2 green turtles, and 5 yellow butterflies on a brown table.What is the most fun is having family involvement in learning ASL, also. Please share some ideas that you have for games, also."
—FROGIT3
"I was thinking of adapting some games I know. Have you ever played one where a name or picture of someone famous, an animal, or some other kind of object is taped to your back? Everyone gets one and then they have to give clues as to what the other people are without exactly telling them what it is. I thought this could be fun if it were signed. Just a question about your rule no 3. Aren't number reversals normal for the kindergarten age group. It is my inderstanding that the concept is more important at this age than calling something wrong if it is backward? I'm nor a teacher but I am a mother of a reading and writing five year old."
—JBEDDINGTON
"Do the game telephone but with a signed sentence one of my ASL teachers did that and it was a blast especially to see what was signed at the end of the line"
—INTERPRET4U
"I have played a game with beginning ASL students that is pretty fun. Everyone is in a circle and one person starts by saying, "I'm going on a trip and I'm taking...." and names an object. The next person says the same thing, signing the object the 1st person said and then signing another object. It goes on around with everyone signing the objects in order then adding their own. Of course, the farther it goes around, the more you have to remember, so if you miss - you're out! End by the first person having to sign the whole circle. This can be adapted to several categories: "I went to the zoo..." - animals, "I saw a rainbow...." colors, " I went to the grocery store...." food, etc. Another one - everyone is in a circle. One person starts by fingerspelling a word. The next person must fingerspell a word that begins with the last letter of the first person's word. The next person fs a word that begins with the last letter of the 2nd person's word. (ex: cat, town, neck, keep, pie...) No word can be used twice and if you're too slow - You're Out!"
—NSL89
"Theresa M. Crowder, a realtime stenocaptioner (CART Provider-CART meaning Communication Access Realtime Translation), teaches sign language to court reporters who are considering taking up realtime for deaf/hard-of-hearing people.

In her seminars, she uses a board game that is great fun. She designed it herself. You may write her at TMTTess@compuserve.com"
—GAYL4CART
"Here are some games you might use:SPELLING BEE Use the ASL alphabet. Teach each one to fingerspell the alphabet. Have a spelling bee. Use three letter words at first as they practice use words with more letters. You can have boys against girls.

PAPER WORD SPELLING BEE Make several copies of the fingerspelling alphabet. Cut the letters apart. Put the letters together